第二节 各句子之间的指代关系
在语篇中有时为了避免重复提及某一个词或者短语，常常用指代词表示，如：要求考生指出代词it，they，one等的指代对象等。指代词起连接语篇的作用，它能体现出语篇中各句子之间的逻辑关系。这种类型的问题一般来说难度不是很高，考生只要仔细品味上下文，一般都能看出来某行中的代词是指代前面的哪个名词。但是，需要注意的是，这类问题一般都具有一定的迷惑性。
例1.(1995年考题第3篇59题)
......
In addition to this, there is the growing mobility of people since World War Ⅱ. As families move away from their stable community, their friends of many years,their extended family relationships, the informal flow of information is cut off, and with it the confidence that information will be available when needed and will be trustworthy and reliable. The almost unconscious flow of information about the simplest aspects of living can be cut off. Thus, things once learned subconsciously through the casual communications of the extended family must be consciously learned.
......
The word "it" (line 3, para. 2)most probably refers to _____ .
［A］ the lack of stable communities
［B］ the breakdown of informal information channels
［C］ the increased mobility of families
［D］ the growing number of people moving from place to place
要正确判断it在文中的所指，关键在于分析该句的结构。本句是个复合句，前半部分"As families move away from their...，their extended family relationships,"是状语从句，主句是后半部分中的"the informal flow of information is cut off"。而后半部分中的"wity it the confidence that information...reliable"又与"the informal flow of information is cut off"紧密相关，因为该句表面看上去不完整，that引导的从句只是"confidence"的同位语，那么句中没有谓语。而实际上，该句暗含了一个完整的句子，即：指代词"it"代替前面所说的"the informal flow of information is cut off."因此，正确答案选B项。
例2.(1995年考题第2篇57题)
In order to grow, to travel new roads, people need to have a willingness to take risks, to confront the unknown, and to accept the possibility that they may "fail" at first. How we see ourselves as we try a new way of being is essential to our ability to grow. Do we perceive ourselves as quick and curious? If so, then we tend to take more chances and to be more open to unfamiliar experiences. Do we think we're shy and indecisive? Then our sense of timidity can cause us to hesitate, to move slowly, and not to take a step until we know the ground is safe. Do we think we're slow to adapt to change or that we're not smart enough to cope with a new challenge? Then we are likely to take a more passive role or not try at all.
When the author says "a new way of being"(line 3, para. 3), he is referring to _____
［A］ a new approach to experiencing the world
［B］ a new way of taking risks
［C］ A new method of perceiving ourselves
［D］ a new system of adapting to change
该题的关键在于对"being"一词的理解。"How we see ourselves as we try a new way of being is essential to our ability to grow"是该段的主题句，概括性比较强，"being"具体指何事物可以从主题句后的几个例子中加以判断。下文的三个例子都围绕一个中心，即：我们的态度决定着我们的生活方式，那么"being"就是指"生存、存在"。"a new way of being"是说"一种新的体验世界的生存方式"。